2023-2024

Bottom Row: Alison Layton, Dariel La Fleur, Tatiana Hogston, Zephyriah Spaar, Alexandra Ciecwierz, Artina Zarpak, Matt Panayos, Fiona Rioux, Joey Murray, Dennis Erickson, Teaghan Doran, Javier Lorenzo, Dhanush Allam, Morgan Donohoe, Michael Kwan, Bihan Shen, Guru ADP

Second Row: Victor Quacoe, Tarang Nair, Elena Fox-Bland, Ike Ifejieme, Olive Beverly, Daria (Dasha) Didenko, Tomas Harris, Jake Amster, Javon Lecky, Aggie Baum, Gavriel Eagle, Vernon Smith, Emma Arenstein, Roni Magidson, Rebecca Ginsburg, Matt Podsednik

Third Row: Eddie Young, Emma Oroxom, Megan Miller, Faith Kung, Kevin Merrick, Todd Supple, Angie Prescott, Ben Prescott, Josh Montfort, Karen Kemilembe (President), Sophia Marchionini (Vice President), Ali Clingan (Secretary), Bryant Rivera Cortez (Treasurer), Raquel Ziolkowski (Historian), Jacob Barsam, Nikos Koutsoheras

Director & Head Coach: Josh Montfort

Assistant Director: Ben Prescott

Assistant Coaches: Todd Supple, Angie Prescott, Faith Kung, Kevin Merrick, Emma Oroxom, Megan Miller

Officer Body

  • President: Karen Kemilembe

  • Vice President: Sophia Marchionini

  • Secretary: Ali Clingan

  • Treasurer: Bryant Rivera Cortez

  • Historian: Raquel Ziolkowski

Award Recipients

  • Best Act: Quad Balancing — Jacob Barsam, Daria (Dasha) Didenko, Dariel La Fleur, Vernon Smith

  • Best Female Trouper: Ali Clingan

  • Best Male Troupers: Bryant Rivera Cortez

Regaining traction

This year, the team continued to rebuild after the pandemic, gaining many new troupers. Although the show season was shorter, many traditional shows were brought back after the previous year’s small team made scheduling difficult. Among these were the regular Hagerstown show and a halftime vaulting performance for the Terps, which always gets the crowd on their feet.

Although the troupe was growing again, the season didn’t proceed without difficulties. At one road show, a sickness hit the troupe so hard that all but one coach filled in for missing troupers during Pyramids. It was also not uncommon to find assistant coach Angie Prescott in a DMT or Vaulting line to make the act longer.

Gymkana had the pleasure of welcoming its first ever 3rd generation trouper, Joey Murray, whose grandfather Dr. Joseph Murray had coached the team for over 30 years. With Joey’s arrival, Dr. Murray and his son Bryan became frequent faces in the gym. Juggling was re-introduced to the troupe for the first time since the pandemic, thanks to the Murrays, and the act quickly became a regular part of the show season that spring.

Home Show, once again, received praise and commendation on its cohesiveness despite the smaller team. This year had many unique acts, such as a doubles dance routine, solo rhythmic, and solo jumprope. The troupe continued to improve its skill level and roster size, and looked forward to the renewed depth it would find in its next year.


Itinerary
11/8/2023 — Flip-a-thon

12/8/2023 — Mock Show

2/16/2024 — Hagerstown Community College

2/23/2024 — Magothy River Middle School

3/1/2024 — Ridgeview Middle School

3/3/2024 — Vaulting Halftime show vs Indiana

3/8/2024 — Jemicy School

3/15/2024 — UMD Center for Young Children (in-gym)

4/5-4/6/2024 — Home Show

4/19/2024 — SPH Dean’s Recognition Ceremony — Quad Balancing Only

4/27/2024 — Maryland Day